The Diego Diaries: Going There (dd8 436)

=0=On their way

Rem glanced at Optimus. "You're live, sir."

Prime considered that, then spoke. "I am Optimus Prime. Identify yourself."

There was a slight pause for transmission, then another voice was heard. :I'm Rattler of Polyhex and I lead this migration with Raven of Vos. We're fleeing the Decepticon hegemony and seek asylum in your empire, Prime. We come with pursuit. We have a big migration of civilians and there's a lot of Seekers with us. We require assistance. We estimate that the pursuit group will be on us in two joors:

Prime glanced at a grim team behind him. "Send for the Alpha group. Have beta on standby." He glanced at the screen showing a huge migration spread out in a running formation. Someone who knew what they were doing was leading the way. "We have sent for reinforcements and will help you. Right now your leadership has to come to me and we will discuss your surrender. I am sending a shuttle to pick you up. Send me a signal where you are."

:Understood: the voice said, then the link cut.

Prime sat back to ponder the situation. "General Hard Drive, please plot the pursuit and send data miners to scan it if its possible. We need more information."

"As you command," Hardie said with a slight bow. He walked to tactical to call The Military Flight Center at The Fortress to work out what was next with Starscream and Rainmaker.

As they did a shuttle pulled out and sped forward heading into the blast of light and ships ahead of them. Behind them, a bridge churned its deadly energy.

=0=There

"I think you and I need to go, Raven. Both of us command our segments and we have to convince them that we're ready to step down."

Raven nodded. "I agree. When will the shuttle get here?" he asked the navigator.

"Its almost here. Its slowing to pull along side," he said.

Raven glanced at Rattler, then the two walked out of the bridge to the starboard hatch on the ship. It slid open as four mechs stood beside it waiting for them.

A shuttle, white with the Autobrand, Prime's sigil and the name Impactor's Revenge was pulled up alongside. Its hatch opened and the view of several heavily armed mechs appeared. They stepped out to float to it, then entered.

One of the mechs inside stepped forward, then grinned. "Rattler."

Rattler grinned. "Springer. Care to take me to your leader?"

"Don't mind if I do. Just leave your hardware on the deck. Both of you," Springer said.

A few guns and knives hit the deck, the hatch closed, then the vessel sped off flying with speed back to the armada with Prime. As they approached Omega, the bridge nearby burst forth with a seemingly endless stream of battleships, shuttles and Seekers.

Raven and Rattler watched it with amusement as they were scrutinized by the mechs on board. It was silent a moment, then Rattler turned toward Springer. "I haven't seen you in ages, Springer."

"Not since The Fall," Springer said as he considered the mech before him. "Your family lives in our colony."

Rattler's amusement dropped away. "What?" he asked.

"They live in the colony and have their business back. They have a bar in my city and Drift and I go there," he said as he held out his servo.

Rattler stared at it, then Springer. Then he stepped into an embrace. They held each other, these childhood friends for a moment then Rattler stepped back. "My family? They're with you?"

"Yeah," Springer said. "They made it in a migration some time back. They have their businesses, the bar and restaurant. Bars and restaurants. They've expanded. You have to see the colony to get it. All of them, Rattler. All of them are there. All of them are well and when they find out that you're back the party will be incredible."

"You two know each other?" Sunstreaker asked at last.

"We grew up together. Their bar was where we played pool and had a beer after work. His family lost their businesses to the fraggers that stole mine," Springer said. He looked at Rattler with concern. "Are you really ready to hang it up?"

Rattler nodded. "We're done. Its over. I just want to go somewhere and … my family?" he asked nearly tearfully.

Springer nodded.

"We're back, Springer," the pilot said.

Springer glanced at him, then the two newcomers. "Come on," he said as he walked to the hatch. It opened so he stepped out to float to the hatch of Omega. The other two followed and so did everyone else on board because they were snoops.

Only the pilot was left.

He didn't come because he was stuck.

They landed on the deck, all of them, then walked forward to the flight deck where Prime and the others waited. The two passed mechs they knew or thought they knew, some of which startled to see them. Reaching the deck, they walked across to gather before Prime and the senior Autobots.

"Optimus, this is Rattler and Raven. They run the migration. I know Rattler. We were kids together," he said to the big pensive mech standing beside a Seeker with familiar tattoos.

Prime stared at both a moment. "Are you Raven, son of Rainmaker?"

The big Seeker nodded, then bowed slightly. "Rainmaker is my father."

Prime glanced at Hardie who nodded slightly before turning to the console next to him. Prime stared at the two. "You lead this migration."

They nodded.

"We were a base on the fringe. We know how things have changed so we left. We've waited for the right time to go and along the way we've picked up everyone we could find. We sent groups out to hunt. Seekers who were hidden, small and large groups of civilians, even Autobots. We knew we'd be pursued but we had to go. We're done with the slag. We want to go home," Rattler said as Raven nodded.

The sound of heavy treads caught everyone's attention. They turned toward the rear of the deck as Rainmaker, Warlord and Starscream walked in. Rainmaker walked forward with his gaze fixed on the big black Seeker standing next to Raptor. He smiled, then slapped his huge servos together. "RAVEN! MY SON!" he exclaimed before the two met halfway in a bear hug. Rainmaker hugged him tightly, lifting him off the floor.

"Well, the last prodigal son is back," Warlord said with a chuckle.

"Look who's talking?" Starscream purred to the amusement of all.

It took a moment to hug and back slap everyone before Rainmaker turned to Prime. He bowed. "My son, Raven has returned. My family is restored."

"I am delighted in your happiness, my friend, and that of your house," Prime said.

"Sometimes things work out," Rainmaker said with a smile. "Now how do we help this end decently and who is this?" he asked as he nodded to Rattler.

"He is my partner and friend," Raven said. "He is genuine and I vouch for him."

Everyone glanced at Raven, then Prime. A Seeker standing for someone was an ironclad oath.

Rattler glanced at Raven. "You're my friend and partner, Raven. Thank you. How can we do this? Pursuit is catching up."

"I have sent scouts. In the meantime we remove these ships. Tell your crews to stand down and power down all weapons. If they are genuinely surrendering then tell them I will take their oaths now," Prime said.
"Tell them the Matrix will welcome them home if they come with true intentions. Breaking their oath will have its own sometimes dire consequences."

Rattler nodded. "I know," he said. He glanced at a console, then a mech gestured him over as he rose from his seat. He took it, then signed into his own system. "This is Rattler. Prime is here and he wants to take us in. You have to give your oath to him and the Matrix. The Matrix is holy and will expect you to keep your word. I believe in you. You will do this thing and we can go home. My family is in his colony. Maybe we'll all get lucky today. Signal receipt."

The console was flooded as each Decepticon ship checked in. Seekers sent their acknowledgment as well.

Rattler rose. "If you wish to send a message, Elder," he said as he gestured to the console with a slight bow.

"I don't mind if I do," he said as he patted his son's shoulder. He walked over, then sat. "All Seekers and related individuals in this migration, this is Rainmaker, Doom Bringer, Lord and Master of all Seekerkin, the Great Elder of our people. You are asked to give your oath to the Prime and to the Matrix. Do so with pride and respect. Do it for both. I am a partner to the Prime of Cybertron and I have spoken." He glanced at Optimus. "Your turn," he said with a smile.

Prime chuckled, then hit a button. "This is Optimus Prime. I bear the Creation Matrix, the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, the greatest of the Matrices of our people. I am seeking your oath of loyalty to our people, our home world, Primus and The One. If you break it with me, I will not be affected. If you break it with the Matrix, It will make balance and if your life is forfeit to do so it will be done. Signal your decision."

Glancing at the forward screen where every Decepticon ship was featured along with every Decepticon signature, they blinked yellow for a moment, then almost as one they changed to blue. Everyone in the migration had given their oath.

Prime sat back as he felt the Matrix absorb all their oaths. The electrical feeling he felt in large numbers was felt individually in response to all who gave it. "Gentlemen, tell the colony to expect refugees." He glanced at Rattler and Raven. "Are there more out there?"

"I do believe so. We can help you get them," Rattler said as Raven nodded. "I don't want a single spark left behind."

"Then we are of one processor," Prime said.

=0=At the Port Authority of Mars, Immigration and Refugees, Midtown, Autobot City, Mars

The buzz was intense as the bridges to refugee camps all over the galaxy were shut down. Until this migration was processed Omega Base and its subsidiaries were on standby. Given that they were nearly cleared as they prepared to receive new refugees, it was fine with the program for this short term interlude.

Ultra Magnus across the paved expanse of level ground of the vast port that would be filled with refugees shortly. Meeting Ratchet, the two discussed the situation. By the time they were in sync, Ratchet and Magnus, the first ships would be landing nearby to disgorge its passengers before lifting off to go to a depot in the desert nearby for evaluation.

Ratchet would be sprinting to the aid station to help the medics get things organized. This group hadn't sent their details nor were they sorted by medics per usual. They'd have to do this group from scratch. Apparently they were being pursued by a Decepticon battle group and the sooner they were here the better.

He disappeared into the huge medic station to begin to organize his troops while every area and office space of the Port burst into activity to receive an unknown number of refugees bearing unknown medical and mental conditions with them.

=0=Out there

The data Seekers flew swiftly, made a sharp turn with undercarriages exposed, then flashed back toward their own side. The underside of their bodies carried the most sophisticated sensor and camera equipment ever devised by their people. It allowed them to get detailed information without getting too close to danger. They were gone in seconds.

=0=Omega

Rattler watched with relief as the ships he and Raven led began to be organized to leave. Groups were led out toward the bridge by a couple of Seekers who were flying in front and behind them. It was going to take longer than they had before the Decepticon fleet arrived so the new arrivals were gathering as swiftly as they could to go. They would place themselves between the helpless refugees and surrendered Decepticons and the incoming menace.

"You saw them? My family? They're okay?" Rattler asked Springer who stood beside him, this childhood partner in mischief in the neighborhood and one time boyfriend, his and Springer's first.

"I see them a lot. They're fantastic. I want to be there when you see them," Springer said. He grinned. "I'll take you there myself."

"Are they all there? The elders, my brothers?" Rattler asked.

"They are. They have families, your brothers. Your elders are as great as they ever were," Springer said. "Drift, my bond and I go there to play pool and have a beer. We have a kid ourselves now, just so you know."

"You? You're bonded? You, Springer?" Rattler asked with surprise.

"Yeah. Will wonders never cease," Springer replied.

Drift leaned on a console nearby enjoying the vibe even as an unknown danger sped toward them. For a few moments he could be happy for everyone.

He was.

=0=TBC 5-17-2022